04-19-2020, 04:22 PM
Constitution of the Dominion of Lazarus
PreambleThe nations of the Dominion of Lazarus, seeking to establish a government that is fair and equitable to all residents, dispenses justice fairly and evenly, and incorporates all manners of ideas and identities, hereby enact this Constitution as a single unifying representation of these ideals.
Section 1: Citizenship
- Any nation may apply for citizenship on the Regional Forum by providing their current nation in the region, their current World Assembly nation, a brief history of their time in NationStates, and by swearing an Oath of Citizenship.
- The King shall have the authority to accept or deny citizenship applications. The King may delegate and revoke this authority as he deems appropriate.
- The King shall have the sole authority to change the format of citizenship applications, as long as the format retains the aforementioned requirements.
- Citizens shall forfeit their citizenship if they renounce it, their nation in Lazarus ceases to exist or leaves the region, they do not post on the forum within 30 days, or if they are found guilty of a crime and punished with loss of citizenship.
- The King is the Head of State of Lazarus. They are assisted by their chosen Regent. The King is always permitted to surpass their endorsement cap, whereas the Regent may be granted that privilege by the King.
- The King shall hold the position of delegate in-game. The King is responsible for maintaining order, enforcing justice, and ensuring the security of the region.
- The King may determine the region’s endorsement cap. Nations may not exceed this cap unless they have been given explicit permission to do so by the King.
- The King is permitted to appoint Guardians, who are tasked with gaining endorsements for the purposes of maintaining in-game security. The King is permitted to set a limit on the endorsements of Guardians.
- The King is permitted to create offices that are not explicitly outlined in this document, however these positions must not contradict or overrule those outlined in this document.
- The King is permitted to remove their Regent, the Directorate, or any other government or military official from their office.
- The King is appointed by their predecessor. If the King does not appoint a successor before ceasing to exist, being deleted, or otherwise going inactive, the Regent will ascend to the throne if the King does not return after a week.
- The Assembly is the legislative body of Lazarus. A citizen who participates in a District for at least two consecutive weeks may hold membership in the Assembly. Membership in the Assembly is contingent on an application and approval by the Speaker.
- Members of the Assembly will have vacated their position if they lose citizenship or do not post on the forum for 15 days.
- The members of the Assembly shall elect, from their membership, a Speaker once every three months. The Speaker shall be the president of the Assembly and oversee its membership and procedures.
- The Speaker is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, conducting Assembly votes, auditing the Assembly membership roll, and accepting applications to the Assembly.
- The Speaker shall be permitted to appoint a Deputy Speaker to serve as their assistant, wherein they may be granted the powers to execute the duties of the Speaker at the Speaker’s discretion.
- The Assembly is permitted to create laws so long as they do not contradict or conflict with this document or the Edict of Lazarene Law and Order.
- The Assembly is permitted to recall the Speaker or the Viceroy by a simple majority vote. If the Viceroy is recalled, members of the Directorate are not permitted to vote on that matter.
- Treaties between Lazarus and other regions and declarations of war shall only be proposed by the King or the Viceroy.
- The Assembly may enact, amend, or repeal regional law with a simple majority vote. Amendments to this document or the Edict of Lazarene Law and Order may only be enacted by a 66% majority vote.
- All bills passed by the Assembly must be signed by the King before they are enacted.
- The Viceroy is the Head of Government of Lazarus and oversees and manages the responsibilities of the Directorate.
- The Viceroy is elected by the Assembly of Lazarus every three months and can serve no more than two terms consecutively.
- The Viceroy will appoint Governors to lead the various Districts of Lazarus and form the Directorate. Appointees must be approved by the King before taking office.
- The Directorate is responsible for establishing and maintaining all internal regional directives and plans of action. The King shall reserve the right to participate directly in Directorate affairs.
Section 5: The Districts
- The Districts of Lazarus exist to encourage cooperation and production within the region, and each of the several Districts shall manage one specific facet of Lazarene directives.
- A District will be lead by a Governor who is responsible for maintaining their District’s activity in accordance with policy enacted by the Assembly.
- The jurisdiction of these Districts shall be further defined by the Assembly. Any member of the Assembly may propose the creation or disestablishment of a District.
Section 6: Rights and Justice
- Citizens may be removed at the discretion of the King, if the King can legally justify such an action. All those whose citizenship has been revoked must immediately be informed of the reason for removal and has the right to appeal that decision to the High Court.
- Citizens have the right to a fair trial.
- Residents have freedom of speech so long as they do not violate standing Lazarus law. However, foreign entryists exploiting Lazarus’ freedoms for the sake of undermining the will of the people will not be tolerated.
- Residents have the right to manage the internal affairs of their nations; the Dominion may not discriminate based on how a nation answers issues or customizes their fields. However, Nazism, Fascism, and hate speech will not be tolerated.
- Residents shall be permitted to participate in the Dominion as long as they are not deemed a threat to regional security, compliant with regional law, not an enemy of the state, and above the age of thirteen.
Section 7: Constitutional Amendments
- Section 6 of this document may only be added to. Section 7 may not be edited or revised.
- This document may only be repealed by unanimous vote of the citizens.
Section 8: The Forum
- The off-site forum shall be located at: http://www.ns-laz.com
- Forum administration is separate from the affairs of the government. Violations of site rules and the Invision Community terms of service will be handled only by forum administration.
Section 9: Adopting Clauses
- This document shall be considered the supreme law of Lazarus. Any conflicts between this document and any other law shall be resolved by deferring to this document.
- Upon the passing of this document, the sitting WA delegate shall be named as King.
- Upon the passing of this document, the King may appoint the first High Sepulchre for the benefit of immediate action in the region.
- Upon the passing of this document, all citizens of the Celestial Union shall become citizens of the Undead Dominion.
Section 10: Amendments
- Upon the passing of this amendment, all current Cathedrals shall be redefined as Districts with the same responsibilities. The Cathedral of Heresy shall become the Diplomacy District. The Cathedral of Corruption shall become the Cultural District. The Cathedral of Arbitration shall become the High Court. The Cathedral of War shall become the Military District.
- Upon the passing of this amendment, all current citizens shall be considered members of the Assembly upon committing themselves to a District.